Why they avoided relegation - How Sean Dyche's defensive tactics kept Everton safe from the drop

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Everton manager Sean Dyche was under no illusions as to the significance of Saturday's 1-0 win over Brentford. All three points in the Premier League fixture not only saw the club move up to fifteenth in the league table, but it also confirmed the Merseyside club's survival from relegation with three games to spare. And, according to Dyche, it was perhaps the most important thing he's done since he became a football manager. 

When asked if keeping Everton in the English top-flight this season was his greatest achievement as a head coach, Dyche told the BBC: “It certainly is my biggest one, to lead a group [from] where it was [to] where it is. It was different last season, but this season has been incredibly tough to see through the feeling and noise at times. I took a few hits myself but that is part of my job, to stay focused on the job in hand." Indeed, despite multiple fiascos on and off the pitch this season - least of all two seperate points deductions from the Premier League - Dyche has managed to keep Everton from dropping down to the Championship. And in no uncertain terms, that success has been built off some truly remarkable defensive tactics and disciplined football over the course of the season. 

Everton’s impressive defensive record

With just 37 goals scored in 35 league games to date, Dyche's side are remarkably dour in front of goal with the third worst offensive record in the Premier League, but their defensive accumen undoubtedly makes up for it. For example, not only have Everton conceded just 48 goals in those same 35 league games - which is the fourth best record in the division to date - but only two clubs in Arsenal and Manchester City have conceded fewer goals from open play this term. In other words, while Everton's attacking line may be rubbing shoulders with the cannon fodder at the bottom of the table, Dyche's defence is one of the best in the Premier League. 

This, in turn, has made Everton extremely difficult to beat. And why in 17 instances in which Dyche's side have taken the lead in league games this season, Everton have dropped points in just five occasions. That works out at an average points won total of 2.29 from winnning positions, which is the seventh best return for any Premier League club this season. Not only was the weekend's 1-0 win over Brentford a perfect example of these defensive tactics working perfectly, but they were just as prevelant in the recent 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest and the 1-9 win over Burnley, as well as the recent and extremely unexpected 2-0 win over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. In each instance, Dyche's side took the lead and ensured their opponents had no chance of punching back. 

As such, it's worth noting that not only could Everton still climb as high as twelfth place in the table before the end of the season, but had they not been deducted eight points by the league authorities then Dyche’s side would already be sitting comfortably in that exact position, with one eye on finishing in the top half of the table. It remains to be seen whether the club’s appeal will see those points reinstated, but there’s no doubt that with relegation bravely fought off, Dyche and his side can now begin preparations for next season and finally move on from a gruelling league campaign.